Town of Tonawanda – Today, July 21, 2022, New York State Assemblyman Bill Conrad announced he has secured $287,000 in state funding for the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, which will use the grant money to make equipment upgrades and expand its community policing efforts.

A $250,000 State and Municipal (SAM) facilities grant will cover needed equipment, including the purchase of 15 in-car mounted radar units, which will be fixed inside the patrol cars.

Unlike the portable radar devices currently in use, these new units can measure the speeds of vehicles that are either in front of or to the rear of the officer, and while the officer is moving or stationary. The portable units are aging and though they have no warranty, they suffer considerable wear and tear as they’re transferred among vehicles at shift changes. Repairs to the portable units are costly and require out-of-state shipment of the devices.

The grant will also be used to buy 15 mounted license plate readers (LPRs), or one for each of the town police department’s patrol vehicles. LPRs automatically capture all license plate numbers that come into view, along with the time, date and location. This data, which includes photographs of the vehicle, is then uploaded to the Erie County Central Police Services server. The information collected can be used by police to determine whether a vehicle is stolen or was at the scene of a crime, to identify vehicles and operators that are unregistered or unlicensed, and to discover wanted individuals.

The Town of Tonawanda Police Department currently has just one LPR that is past its warranty period and often out of service.

Conrad said both the mounted radar units and the license plate readers will equip all patrolling officers with the technology they need to enforce traffic laws and maintain the safety of our roadways for all travelers, while the LPRs are additionally useful to detectives seeking suspects in the investigation of crimes.

An additional $37,000 grant will help the town police department maintain its Community Services division. Relaunched in 2020 with the late Capt. Christine Milosich at the helm, the program ensures that officers are interacting with citizens in non-emergency situations, often during department-run family fun activities and youth recreation events, including bowling and basketball. Community Services provides neighborhood watch education and organizes related events, conducts car seat installation checks, and has a presence at parades and other celebrations. The program is now spearheaded by Capt. Milosich’s husband, Capt. Joe Milosich, and has built constructive relationships between the police and the public, particularly the town’s young people.

Assemblyman Bill Conrad said, “Since I took this seat, I’ve made a point to initiate conversations with the police chiefs, prosecutors, union members and retirees who know what it means to be ‘in the trenches,’ protecting and serving the public. I’ve also learned that public safety is at the top of constituents’ list of priorities. Because law enforcement personnel are our first line of defense against crime, to which no community is immune, my goal is to help provide the resources they need to do their jobs safely and with the utmost professionalism. I am thrilled to be able to extend this aid to the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, so it can replace older equipment, add modern crime-fighting and enforcement tools to its repertoire, and continue its much-appreciated community engagement efforts – while sparing local taxpayers the full burden of the associated costs. Thoughtful investment in our police is a lasting investment in our community’s livability and residents’ well-being.”

Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joe Emminger said, “There is nothing more important as an elected official than protecting the constituents you represent. The funding that Assemblyman Conrad has secured for the residents and business owners of the town will go a long way in doing exactly that. From the use of LPRs that will dramatically cut down on the amount of time our detectives have to spend tracking down suspected criminals, to funding being used to promote community activities and goodwill, this money will help maintain the safe neighborhoods in our community.”

Town of Tonawanda Police Chief Jim Stauffiger said, “Many thanks to Assemblyman Conrad for providing this generous funding to TTPD. As chief of police, I have long known that Assemblyman Conrad is an advocate for TTPD and law enforcement in general. The funding will strengthen our community engagement programs and provide needed equipment to our police officers, to enhance our traffic safety efforts and aid in the investigation of offenses.”